Carolina National Golf Course Review

The sweetest winds they blow across the south

Carolina National Golf Course Review

What makes me return to the North Carolina each March over the last few years? Yes it’s the beautiful and quiet coastal islands and beaches our family stays near but it’s also the hidden gem of golf courses tucked away on and near the coast of North Carolina. One such gem is Carolina National Golf Course.

We were fortunate enough to play on a beautiful sunny day, tee times were delayed by some early morning frost but the staff did a great job keeping everyone happy and quickly out on the course.

Carolina National is a beautiful Fred Couples signature golf facility comprised of 27 holes. Set along the Lockwood Folly River it winds its way through some scenic low country terrain offering a variety of holes for golfers of all skill levels.

We got a chance to play the Egret 9 and Heron 9. Both these 9s have been converted to Champion UltraDwarf Bermuda Grass (The same type that Pinehurst #2 will be converting to in 2014). Champion Bermuda will provide the highest quality putting surface year round. It thrives in the summer heat and uses less water.

I must admit the greens were the best we putted on during our North Carolina golf trip. Great job by the staff at Carolina National in what seems like a very short time, below check out a video of the green conversion at Carolina National.




Carolina National has 5 sets of tee blocks so check out the length of each for what best suits your game.

Carolina National has a great feel once you arrive at the golf course and for me it starts with the clubhouse and the staff. The day we were playing an afternoon bridge game was going on in the clubhouse giving Carolina National a warm southern appeal.

Egret 9

 

Number 1 on Egret is a great starting hole. Take your driver out and let it rip, the fairway does narrow just keep it right and you'll just have a wedge into this smallish green. A real fun starting hole.

 The number 2 handicap hole on the Egret nine. Number 2 requires a good drive just left of the bunkers on the right. Water down the left side is intimidating for those that overcompensate their draw. Lots of bunkers on this hole so make sure your sand game is good.

 #3 A tough par 5 get your first shot in the fairway which is tough as it's pretty narrow. A large waste bunker down the right side can be daunting if you're unlucky to land there. The green is guarded in the front both left and right. Par is a good score here.

#4 Depending on how you play this hole and how accurate your driver can be, this is definitely a birdie hole. With water on the right side favor a drive between the two bunkers situated before the green. Good luck!

 

First par 3 on Egret #5 can play pretty easy but it all depends on the wind.

The second par 3 #7 a straightforward par 3 with only 4 bunkers guarding this green.

 #6 A straightaway par 4 with a narrow fairway for your drive. Should be an easy par with not a lot of hazards.

 #9 A fun par 5 that has many ways to play the hole. With a split diagonal fairway a few different plays can be made off the tee. Love the slightly uphill shot from the left side. Beware of the trees for your second shot and the sloping green. One of my favorites.

Heron 9

#1 A nice par 4 to start the Heron 9. A generous landing area, water shouldn't come into play. Your second into a deep green should net you a good score just don't go long.

 #2 Tough par 5 the tee shot didn't fit my eye (might of been the narrow fairway and water on right side) but depending on the wind, par is a great score here. I loved the bunkers and the trees that framed the green on this hole.

 #3 An elevated tee shot, watch you don't take to much on your drive on this hole as it narrows closer to the green. A fun hole with lots of options. Green is narrow and guarded by two bunkers.

  #4 Bunkers galore on this short par 4 many options from the tee but the driver is the most fun. Tough green and depending on the winds can generate a high score.

#5 One of the best par 3s around can challenge you from any tee box. Beautiful, scenic and tough. The day we played there was a strong wind into our faces which made club selection fun. Definitely worth the price of admission.

#6 A short par 4 with a narrow fairway that can cause problems for even the most accurate driver of the ball. Green is small with run off areas both front and back left. Fun hole!

#8 A short par 3 I managed a birdie on even though I was just slightly off the green. If you miss the green you want to be on the left side as there's a lot of bunkers on the right side.

 #9 Didn't really like the tee shot (not being able to see the entire hole) but once you got around the dogleg this par 5 was a fun hole to end the last of Heron 9. Beware of the large bunker in front of the green.

If your in the area, Carolina National is a must play. The course for early March was in great shape. The staff was friendly and helpful and there's a great welcoming feel around the clubhouse. With five sets of tees golfers of every skill level will be challenged by this course. Make sure you stop in the restaurant at Carolina National. The Plantation Grille will serve you up a lovely beverage and a po' boy sandwich.

Graeme McDowell Testing Out Some New Srixon Z-745 Irons At Hilton Head

GolfWRX.com has some great pictures of one of my favorite players, Graeme McDowell testing out some new Srixon Z-745 Irons At Hilton Head South Carolina at the RBC Heritage. I've always loved the look of Srixon irons going back to when I had some sweet Srixon I-302s. Hilton Head Island is also definitely on my list of places to golf.

Bubbba Watson Wins 2nd Green Jacket - Masters 2014 Champ

Bubba Watson tee shot at 10th Masters 2014

Bubba Watson and His Son Share a Masters Moment on The 18th at Augusta

Keegan Bradley Sporting The Sweetest Kicks - Nike Air Jordan golf shoes at the Masters

With the years first major comes all the various apparel scripting from all the big companies. Some great colors and variation for this years Masters. One of my favorite colors this time of the year is the way companies use green in their apparel and golf shoes. The best this year has to be Keegan Bradley's wicked Augusta green Masters-themed Air Jordans. First brought to use from Keegan's IG account. These are just place sweet.

Keegan does have some sweet kicks including the “Concord” Air Jordan 11 Golf Shoes

Some nice Jumpman golf shoes Keegan wore at the President's Cup.

Best Photos From The Masters

One of my favorite forums for pictures of the Masters is GolfWRX.com is packed with a plethora of players equipment, apparel and shots. Enjoy!

Can't beat Social Media giant Twitter. Seems the best for great Masters photos. I've got all the Pros I follow in a nice little list so it's easy to see great tweets/photos. Ian Poulter, Graham McDowell and Trevor Immelman are some of the best

Instagram is a great way to see various photos from Augusta check out hash tags #TheMasters #Masters #Greenjacket #Augusta #amencorner #AugustaNational

Function 18 2014 Masters Promotion

Online golf clothing store Function 18 has today announced the launch of their anticipated Masters promotion.

With 10% off all orders over £10 and 15% off all orders over £100, now is the perfect time to stock up on your golf clothing & accessories in time for the summer season.

The promotion is available across all major golf brands available online at Function18 including Oscar Jacobson, Nike Golf, Puma Golf, Adidas Golf and Hugo Boss, and will run throughout the Masters tournament until Sunday 13^th April.

Take advantage of this great promotion this weekend and visit www.function18.com

Celebrating 80 years of the Masters

With this year marking the 80th anniversary of the Masters, here's a fun infographic of Masters firsts.

Ground Force Trainer Review

Simple to Use Golf Trainer 

Work on your back swing
Muscle memory will improve your yardage

The Ground Force Trainer was a welcome sight two weeks before my golf trip to North Carolina. With such a busy schedule the only golf practice I had been doing was hitting putts in my basement with my various SeeMore putters. I’m not one for all the various “improve your golf swing” paraphernalia but the Ground Force Trainer was a welcome sight after a long winter. It arrived in a simple box with a plethora of literature guaranteeing me a gain of 10 yds.

Well sign me up but I’d be happy with solid contact after an almost 4 month break from swinging the golf club. So I had two weeks to see what the Ground Force Trainer could do.

Ground Force Trainer kit ( MSRP $119 US) includes the patent-pending square rotational disk, power pole, DVD, lead leg support foam pad, instruction manual and mesh carry bag.

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Dr. Jenni Martin, a chiropractor, LPGA professional and Titleist Performance Institute-certified instructor created the Ground Force Trainer. It features square-rotational disks on which the back foot sits. The key here is to keep the disks aligned while taking a backswing.

“When you stand on an unstable surface you have to dig in on the inside of the right foot to keep the board from not rotating,” said Martin. This makes total sense. In fact, just today I was working on keeping weight on my back foot as I got the rust out of my irons at my indoor range at ClubLink’s Greenhills Golf Club. Martin knows what she’s talking about.

The unstable surface of the Ground Force Trainer helps create the sensation of developing power from ground force with the trail side leg and gluteal muscles, according to Martin. “The Ground Force Training disks create this instability and causes a specific muscular reaction that mimics, exactly, the sensation and strength necessary to motor learn the proper load in the back swing.

“It’s really primarily for people losing their power,” added Martin. “What I have seen is if they do 10, 15 of them a day, holding it to a count of five, taking maybe two minutes, it will motor train them and it corrects a lot of swing faults. If they do it every day for 30 days I can guarantee 10 yards.”

So for two weeks leading up to my North Carolina golf trip I used the Ground Force Trainer primarily downstairs in front of a mirror in our work room. Simple to use the trainer helps you develop your coil in your back swing making sure you have a higher percentage of your weight on your back foot (60-80% on your right foot for right handed golfers). Muscle memory being the important key here just a few minutes a day the trainer will help with your distance.

Simple To Use
The Ground Force Trainer was real easy to use. Prompts on the wooden swivel board make it easy to use day after day.

• Place trail foot in center of swivel board
• Keep big toe facing forward (Do not allow foot to rotate during exercise)
• Keep the front of boards parallel during drill
• Keep 60-80% of weight on trail fool (Right for RH golfer)

Couple minutes a day – 30 days guaranteed to gain 10 yards
I had 3 solid rounds of golf in North Carolina with pretty good contact and pretty great early season results. The Ground Force Trainer obviously had something to do with this. I’m going to continue with the trainer and will add my results in early spring. We'll see if I can add 10 yards.

The Masters - Best 2014 Golf Pool Going

 The first major is just around the corner and I know I'll be playing in the best Masters pool going. Séamus runs some great pools and they'll be three starting next week so get in on the golf betting action. Tiger is out of action so who's your choice to don the green jacket. Can't wait to watch the action from Augusta. Maybe next year I'll get tickets through the lottery. One can only hope.

If you enjoy watching golf on TV, consider joining one of our golf contests as they are sure to enhance your TV viewing thru the event. We are pleased to offer up the following contests:

- Craig's Big 5 Contest
- Grand Slam Contest
- Masters Elimination Contest.

1) Craig's Big 5 Contest
You select a team of 12 golfers to compete at the 4 Majors and the Players Championship (5th Major). The top 60 ranked players will be selected and divided into 5 performance groups of 12 based on World Golf Rankings. This is a contest of skill that requires contestants to make 2 selections from each performance group. 2 additional wildcard selections are also made from outside the top 60 ranked players listed in the performance groups.

Total Player Earnings of contestant's selection's over the 5 events will determine winners. There are payouts for each event in addition to an overall ending payout.

The entry fee for this contest is $20 and is payable before start of play on April 10th and we typically get $2,200 in this prize fund.

The Player Groupings are now posted and we are ready for your submissions.

All the contest details are at:
http://goforthegreengolfpools.com/big5/index.htm


2) Grand Slam ContestYou select players in each event however and you only can use the same player in 2 of the 4 events. Total Player Earnings of contestant's selection's over the 4 Majors will determine winners. There are payouts for each event and an overall Grand Slam ending payout.

The entry fee for this contest is $40 payable in 2 installments of $20 due on April 10th & June 1st and we typically get $2,000 in this prize fund.

All the contest details are at:
http://goforthegreengolfpools.com/grandslam/index.htm


3) Masters Elimination Pool
The top 60 ranked players from the tournament field will be selected and divided into 5 performance groups based on World Tour Rankings. You select 1 payer from each performance group. The Contest is stroke play, meaning the aggregate score for the contestant's four golfers will determine their position relative to the other contestants. If any of the golfers selected misses the cut, the contestant will be eliminated from the contest.

The entry fee for this contest is $20 Canadian and payable before start of play. We typically get 100+ participants in this contest making for some nice payouts.

All the contest details are at:
http://goforthegreengolfpools.com/masters/index.htm

To participate in any or all of these contests, sign up now and get in on the action at:

http://goforthegreengolfpools.com/formmail/signup.htm

Coldfusion Golf Ball Review

When Frozen Balls are Good

Part 1 North Carolina Review- Cape Fear National Golf Course


Being a golfer in Canada means you have to be use to playing in all kinds of weather conditions. Sometimes you need a little help with hand warmers and various layers of clothing. How about a golf ball that actually performs better in colder conditions, sounds pretty good right? Well I was lucky enough to meet Ted Ciesla from ColdFusion Golf Balls on my North Carolina Golf trip and golfed with him at Oyster Bay Golf Links. He was nice enough to give me a couple of sleeves of balls.

ColdFusion Golf Balls - the only golf ball designed specifically for cold weather. Designed and manufactured for playing golf when the thermometer dips below 60 degree F (15.5 degrees C).

I decided to break out the first sleeve of Coldfusion golf balls at Cape Fear National Golf Course. The weather was shaping up for a fair test for the Coldfusion, the only golf ball designed specifically for cold weather.

The day of our round at Cape Fear was cold windy and with a low in the 40s.
The conditions were extremely tough all round with major gusts of wind to 40+ km/h.

I decided from the get go to only use the Coldfusion golf ball on the par 3s.
I found the ball worked great off the tee on all the par 3s. I used both irons and hybrids off the tee and didn’t see any lose of length with any of the club. The ball has a nice click off the irons and hybrids. The ball performed well out of the bunkers at Cape Fear.

With any chips and pitches around the green I found it to be an adequate ball. Would of like a little better feel around the green with the ball. On the green the ball putted adequately I found the feel not as much to my liking as my usual staple of golf balls.

For maximum playability, chill ColdFusion Golf balls before teeing them up.ColdFusion Golf balls are priced affordable at only $29.99/dozen and available for purchase online. Bulk and international orders are available by contacting ColdFusion Golf.

My first round with the Coldfusion was good, I look to further test this cold weather ball up here in the Great White North. The golf season should be just around the corner here in Ottawa so I’ll be testing the Coldfusion golf ball soon at Rideau View Golf Course soon. Stay tuned.

Standard golf balls are manufactured for an optimum temperature of ~80 degrees F. When they get cold, they become less resilient and don’t compress as they should off the clubface. This can result in a loss of 2 – 2.5 yards for every 10 degree drop in temperature. The chillier it gets, the greater the loss in distance and feel. With ColdFusion Golf balls, the colder it gets the better they perform.

What makes the ColdFusion golf ball function so well in frosty conditions is its core/cover combination. Built to USGA specifications the ball is designed using a custom core that when chilled or even frozen, retains its elasticity, leading to better distance control. The softer and thicker cover also ensures the ball is more responsive off the club face, giving golfers more spin control around the greens, and better feel with every club in their bag, including their putter.

About ColdFusion Golf Inc.

ColdFusion Golf is the leader in cold weather golf products. Its mission is to provide golfers with

solutions that will help improve their golf game and have more consistency and fun on the course when

the temperature drops below 60 degrees F.

Follow us on @ColdFusionGolf, Facebook, Pinterest

Hilton Head Golf Island Announces 2014 Spring Golf Packages

High on most golfers bucket list is to head down to Hilton Head Island and play some amazing golf courses. As the storied RBC Heritage makes its return to the Lowcountry, Hilton Head Golf Island announces a selection of stay-and-play packages available for spring at an array of famed courses and coastal resorts. Check out the deals contained in the release below.

Selection of Famed Courses, Coastal Resorts, Invite Golfers for Upcoming Season

Press Release

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hilton Head Golf Island (HHGI) – a collection of 28 of the Lowcountry’s premier golf courses – announces a diverse selection of stay-and-play packages available through May 2014.

With temperate climates, the azaleas in full bloom and the return of the PGA TOUR’s RBC Heritage, golfers will savor a getaway to the premier coastal Carolina destination. Ranked top 10 in seven categories by Golf Digest including “Best Courses” and “Best Weather,” Hilton Head Golf Island offers an array of exceptional golf course and accommodation options.

Sample packages include:

• Palmetto Dunes – “Spring Stay-and-Play:”  Stay three nights and play two rounds at any of the resort’s championship courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Arthur Hills and George Fazio. Enjoy additional resort activities including tennis, bikes, dining and merchandise discounts. Starting from $139 per person, per night, rate includes all taxes and resort fees. Valid through May 31, 2014. For package and reservation information: 877.567.6507, www.PalmettoDunes.com. Customized stay-and-play packages for groups of 12 or more are also available: Michael Royer at 866-306-4330 or mroyer@palmettodunes.com.

• The Sea Pines Resort – “Stay-and-Play Villa Golf Package:” Experience three nights in private villa accommodations and three rounds at Sea Pines’ championship golf courses (Harbour Town Golf Links, Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean Course) with complimentary repeat rounds at Heron Point and Ocean Course based on availability. Sea Pines recently unveiled the new 23,000 square foot Plantation Golf Club and golf learning center at its Heron Point by Pete Dye and Ocean courses for members and guests to enjoy. This value-packed offer also includes complimentary range balls, 10 percent pro shop discount on retail merchandise and 10 percent food and beverage discount at the resort's restaurants. Packages start at $213 per golfer, per night based on quad occupancy in a two bedroom villa. Valid through May 31, 2014. For package and reservation information: 1.800.SEAPINES, www.SeaPinesGolf.com

• Old South Golf Links – “Spring Fling Package:” Just over the bridge in the charming mainland town of Bluffton is the acclaimed Old South Golf Links. Package includes two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn and three rounds of golf including one round each at Old South Golf Links, Hampton Hall Golf Club and the Country Club of Hilton Head. Golfers also enjoy daily breakfast. Starting at $375 per person, price includes sales and accommodations tax. Valid through May 18, 2014. For package and reservation information: 843.837.2610, bonnie@oldsouthgolf.com

• The Heritage Collection – “Spring Stay-and-Play:” Enjoy two nights at The Sonesta Resort with daily breakfast included, two rounds of golf at any of the seven Heritage Collection courses and a 20 percent discount card to be used at Heritage pro shops. Based on double occupancy, packages start at $185 per golfer, per night. Valid through May 22, 2014. For package and reservation information: 843.681.1706 or email vcastaneda@heritagegolfgroup.com.

“After a long, harsh winter across most of North America, Hilton Head Golf Island is the perfect destination for golfers to sharpen their skills for the upcoming season,” says Cary Corbitt, President of the Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association and Vice President of Sports and Operations at Sea Pines Resort.

As one of the nation’s foremost golf locales, Hilton Head is the preferred vacation spot of players seeking a high-concentration of world-class courses. Legendary designers like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player and Davis Love III are represented. The region features an unspoiled natural environment, beautiful resorts and inns, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality.

For additional information or to receive a quote: www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, 800.523.3373.

About Hilton Head Golf Island

Hilton Head Golf Island features more than 20 member courses on Hilton Head and Fripp Islands, as well as Bluffton, Beaufort and Jasper counties. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy Hilton Head’s Southern hospitality and world-class public and private designs sculpted by vaunted architects Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones.

Its territory encompasses many of the great golf courses and resorts of North America and is ranked top 10 in seven categories by Golf Digest including “Best Buddies Trip Destination,” “Best Accommodations,” “Best Couples Trip,” “Best Courses,” “Best Food and Drink,” “Best Weather” and “Best Value.”  Home to the world-renowned Sea Pines Resort, the PGA TOUR makes its only South Carolina stop each April at Harbour Town Golf Links for the RBC Heritage.

The Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association, in conjunction with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Visitor and Conventions Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, launched Hilton Head Golf Island to support the island’s thriving golf market through promotion of golf rounds and packages.

For additional information: www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, 800.523.3373.